Apparatus for dispensing flat articles

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for dispensing flat, relatively thin articles characterized by an article drawer that is slidably mounted on a stationary frame so as to be moved rearwardly to emplace a raised portion behind the bottom one of a stack of the articles in a container such that upon forward movement of the drawer the article is pulled forwardly so that its front end protrudes out of a discharge aperture, all responsive to operation of a manually operable handle that is connected with the drawer. A biasing means is provided for biasing the handle and article drawer toward their normal position. A plurality of the delineated elements may be employed for vending a plurality of different articles. When the apparatus having the plurality of respective elements are operated in a coin operated vending embodiment; a locking means, including a lock bar and respective linkages, requires and allows operation of only one lever and prevents operation of other levers, once operation of the one lever is begun. Also disclosed are specific structural features of respective embodiments.

United States Patent [191 APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING FLAT ARTICLES [76]Inventor: Carlton L. Barnhart, 3800 S. Hill Cir., Fort Worth, Tex. 76109[22] Filed: Oct. 11, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 296,573

51 int; Cl. B65g 59/06 58 Field of Search.... 221/255, 256, 257, 274,125

[56] References Cited I I UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,073,481 l/l963Steiner... 221/274 X 1,678,650 7/1928 Richardson et al 221/274 X PrimaryExaminer-Stanley H. Tollberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-James O. Fails;Wofford, Felsman & Fails 57 ABSTRACT Apparatus for dispensing flat,relatively thin articles characterized by an article drawer that isslidably mounted on a stationary frame so as to be moved rearwardly toemplace a raised portion behind the bottom one of a stack of thearticles in a container such that upon forward movement of the drawerthe article; is pulled forwardly so that its front end protrudes out ofa discharge aperture, all responsive to operation of a manually operablehandle that is connected with the drawer. A biasing means is providedfor biasing the handle and article drawer toward their normal position.A plurality of the delineated elements may be employed for vending aplurality of different articles. When the apparatus having the pluralityof respective elements are operated in a coin operated vendingembodiment; a locking means, including a lock bar and respectivelinkages, requires and allows operation of only one lever and preventsoperation of other levers, once operation of the one lever is begun.Also disclosed are specific structural features of respectiveembodiments.

3 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Feb. 5, 1974' PATENTED FEB 5 74 sum 1 or 3BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to dispensing apparatus. In particular embodiments, thisinvention pertains to dispensing apparatus that is rendered operable inresponse to deposition of coins and generally referred to as coinoperated vending machines. Specifically, this invention pertains to coinoperated vending machines in which different kinds of merchandise; inthe form of flat, relatively thin articles; are selectively vendableupon manual actuation of normally locked selected ejector that isrendered actuatable upon operation of a common coin-controlledmechanism.

2. Description of thePrior Art The prior art has shown'an almostunbelieveable variety of dispensing machines, including different typesof coin operated vendingmachines. These have ranged from the earlymachines, such as the simple structure delineated in U.S. Pat. No.388,101, patented Aug. 21, 1888; through widely useful machines such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,921,610 and 1,948,650; up to modernelectronically operated machines. The prior art has seen mechanicalvending apparatus such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,707,543 and2,946,483. Suitable gum dispensing machines have been described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 2,251,994 and 2,339,681.-

lnsofar as l have been able to determine, however, all of the prior artdispensing machines have been developed for their own relativelyspecific apparatus and have not been totally satisfactory in dispensingflat, relatively thin articles of substantial lateral dimensions.Typical of such flat articles that need dispensing, includingcoinoperated vending, are books, packages of Kleenex, notepaper, flat packs,boxes of candy, magazines and maps. Yet despite this need, the prior artdispensing apparatus has failed to provide a drawer that can pick up thearticle and bring it to a front vend position, where it may be picked upreadily. Moreover, the

prior art vending apparatus usually exployed multiple piece lockingmeans, or interlocks, to prevent cheating and multiple dispensing. Theprior art locking means were expensive to assemble and required muchcareful maintenance to remain dependable in operation. Thus, the priorart has not provided a dispensing apparatus for flat articles that isoperable as a vending apparatus, employing a single coin-operatedmechanism that obviates the disadvantages of the prior art structure;has a locking means that requires operation of only one lever onceoperation of the lever is started following deposition of the coins ifit is acoin-operated vending machine; yet is simple, econornical, andreliable in operation with very little maintenance. 7

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide dispensingapparatus that obviates the disadvantages of the prior art structure andfacilitates dispensing of flat, relatively thin objects of fairlysubstantial lateral and longitudinal dimensions.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a coinoperated vendingmachine that provides a locking means that allows and requires onlyonelever to be operated, once operation is'started; and preventsoperation of other levers.

It is also a specific object of this invention to provide specificadvantageous structural features that may be assembled andincorporatedeconomically into the dispensing apparatus, yet provide ahigh degree of reliability inoperation with very little maintenance.

These and other objects willbecome apparent from the descriptive matterhereinafter, particularly when taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of asingle dispensing apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of thisinvention.

FIG. 2 is a partial isometric view, partly cut away, of the embodimentof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, partly incross section, illustratingthe embodiment of FIG. 1 in its normal position.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partly cut away, of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 illustrating the apparatus with its slide drawer in its rearmostposition; and, in

dashed lines, its vend position.

FIG. 5 is an inside view of the door of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a coin-operated dispensing unit having aplurality of dispensing handles and dispensing units, showing a positionin which one lever is being operated.

FIG. 7 is a rear isometric view with the cabinetry illustrated in dashedlines, showing the locking means and the respective shafts and linkagesincorporated into the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a simplified side elevational view cut away to illustrate therespective elements of the locking means in its normal position that isdifferent from the position illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a partial top plan view of the lock bar of the locking means.

FIG. 10 is an end view of the lock bar of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there isillustrated a single dispensing apparatus 11. As illustrated, thedispensing apparatus 11 is a coin-operated vending machine for vendingmaps. I

The dispensing apparatus I1 comprises the major subassemblies orelements of container means 13, FIGS. 2-4, for containing a stack ofarticles, such as the maps; a stationary frame 15; an article drawer 17;a manually operable handle, or lever, 19; and biasing means 21, FIG. 2,for biasing the handle and the article drawer toward their normalpositions.

The container means 13 is simply a compartment into which the articlesare stacked one on top of the other. As illustrated, the compartment hastwo pair of side rails 23 to facilitate stacking and delivery of thearticles by allowing a space between the articles and the wall proper.Moreover, the compartment has a pair of rear rails 25 for preventing therearward movement of the articles when the article drawer is pushedrearwardly. As can be seen in FIGS. 2-4, the respective rails' 23 and 25terminate at a short distance above the bottom of the stationary frame15 to allow the article delivery, or vend, position with its forward end28, dashed lines, protruding for pick up by the buyer.

Access to the compartment, or container means 13, may be provided by wayof an openable top 31 or an openable door 33, or both. As illustrated,the door 33 is mounted via hinge 35 so as to swing open. It has suitablelock 37, FIG. 5, openable by key 39. As can be seen in FIG. 2, openingthe door 33 allows access to the coin box 41, the internal mechanismsand the interior of the container means 13.

The stationary frame may comprise a skeletal frame onto which thinpanels are suitably affixed. As illustrated, the stationary frame 15comprises plastic panels of substantial thickness to afford their ownrequisite structural strength. The prototype is not necessarily the bestmodel and a structural framework, such as illustrated in FIG. 6, may beemployed if desired. A wide variety of stationary frames are well knownin the art and need not be belabored herein.

It is sufficient to note that no tie Clown means or other means ofaffixing the dispensing apparatus 11 is necessary as long as the handle19 is easily operable so as not to tip the machine. On the other hand,suitable means of affixing a dispensing apparatus 11 to a base, orsupport, may be provided if desired for any reason; such as, to protectagainst theft, prevent tipping, or the like.

The article drawer 17 is slidably mounted on the stationary frame 15 forrearward movement to pick up the bottom one of the articles 29 in thestack, FIG. 4. The article drawer l7.is also slidably mounted for subsequent forward movement to deliver the article, as illustrated in dashedlines in FIG. 4.

The article drawer 17 has a flat receiving area 43 for receiving thebottom article 29. The article drawer 17 has a raised portion 45adjacent its rear. As illustrated, the article drawer 17 also has raisedsides 47 and 49. The article drawer 17 is disposed in its normalposition, as illustrated in FIG. 3, with the raised portion 45 beneaththe bottom article 29 in the stack. The raised portion 45 is movablebehind the article, as illustrated in FIG. 4 when the article drawer 17is moved to its rearmost position. After the raised portion 45 is behindthe article, as the drawer 17 moves forwardly in returning to its normalposition, the article will be moved for.- wardly until its front end 28protrudes out of the discharge aperture 27, FIG. 4, in a vend position.

The manually operable handle 19 is connected with the article drawer formanually moving the article drawer rearwardly and then forwardly so asto effect dispensing of the article 29. As illustrated, thehandle 19comprises a pivotally mounted handle lever with an exterior knob 51. Thehandle 19 is rigidly connected with a drawer pick up arm 53 by way ofshaft 55 so the two pivot in unison. Specifically, the handle lever isrigidly connected with the shaft 55 and the drawer pick up arm 53 isrigidly connected with the shaft 55. The shaft 55 is journalled forpivotal movement in appropriate sidewalls, such as sidewall 57, FIG. 2.Thus, movement of the knob 51 in a downwardly arcuate motion effects anarcuate rearward movement of the lower end of the drawer pick up arm 53.Conversely, upward movement of the knob 51 effects a forward movement ofthe lower end of the pick up arm 53.

The pick up arm 53 is connected with the article drawer 17 via a radialto lineal motion converter means for converting the radial movement ofthe lower end of the pick up arm 53 into a lineal movement of thearticle drawer 17. Specifically, the radial to lineal motion conversionis effected by way of a laterally extending stub shaft 59 that isconnected with the pick up arm 53 near its lower end and pivotally andslidably engages a slot 61 in an upwardly extending ear 63. The upwardlyextending ear 63 is connected with the drawer so as to effect reciprocalmovement thereof responsive to the arcuate urging in the respectivegeneral rearward and forward directions by the stub shaft 59. Asillustrated, the upwardly extending ear 63 is bonded to the raised side47 of the drawer 17 so as to slide reciprocally intermediate the twoside rails 23 in the container means 13. An arcuate aperture 65 isprovided in the sidewall 57 to accommodate the arcuate movement of thestub shaft 59. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, as the pick up arm 53has its lower end swung rearwardly, the stub shaft 59 moves downwardlyin the slot 61 to prevent binding.

The biasing means 21 comprises a spring motor in which one end of thespring is anchored, as by chain 67 and the other end of the motor isconnected so as to re turn the handle 19 upwardly to its normalposition. Specifically, the biasing means 21 is connected with the coinreceiving mechanism 69 that is, in turn, connected with the handle 19 toeffect return of the handle to its normal position; once downwardmovement has been completed, the coin has been dumped from the coinreceiving mechanism 69 and deposited in the coin box 41, and the handle19 has been released or allowed to return.

Any of several conventionally available coin receiving mechanisms may beemployed. For example, US. Pat. No. l,838,179 and 2,339,681 show rotarycoin receivers that are normally latched by a detent against rotarymotion, but when a coin is in the receiver, the coin serves as a meansto lift the detent when the receiver is turned and permit a half turn ofthe receiver. The coin drops out at the end of the half turn and aspring returns the coin receiver to its normal position. To facilitateentry of the coin into the coin receiving mechanism 69, a coin chute 71is employed. It is noteworthy that in this invention the coin receivingmechanism is provided with a ratchet means, such as pivotally mountedratchet catch 73, FIGS. 3 and 4, that is pivoted upwardly by ratchetteeth 75 as the handle 19 is pulled downwardly. Once the ratchet teeth75 have engaged the ratchet catch 73, reverse motion is prevented untilthe ratchet teeth 75 have been moved clear of the ratchet catch 73, asillustrated in FIG. 4. This ratchet means serves as a portion of alocking means to ensure that an article is vended once it is started andprevents a cheating operation wherein a plurality of articles could beobtained for a deposition of the price of one of the articles into thecoin receiving mechanism 69.

In operation, the articles are stacked in the container means 13 and thedoor locked by way of key 39, which is removed. Thereafter, thepurchaser deposits the required amount of coins into the coin chute 71by way of aperture 77, FIG. 1. The handle 19 is then pulled downwardly,since the coin allows the coin receiving mechanism 69 to free the lever19 for arcuate movement. As the lever is pulled downwardly, the drawerpick up arm 53 is pivoted so as to move stub shaft 59 in an arcuatemovement rearwardly. Simultaneously, the coin is moved forwardly andultimately dumped into the coin box 41. As the sutb shaft 59 movesrearwardly, the ear 63 and the drawer 17 are moved rearwardly. Theraised portion 45 on the drawer 17 is moved to the rearward end of thebottom article 29, allowing the bottom article to fall completely intothe drawer 17. The ratchet means will have been released when the draweris in the rearmost position. Therefore, the handle 19 can be returnedupwardly; and, in fact, will be returned upwardly by the biasing means21 if released by the purchaser. As illustrated in dashed lines, FIG. 4,the bottom article will be moved forwardly so that its front end 28extends out of the discharge aperture 27 so as to be pulled from thevending apparatus by the purchaser. The guard 79, FIGS. 4 and 5,provides suitable thickness to the door 33 and prevents inadvertentdispensing of more than the bottom article from the stack. Thereafter,the vending apparatus is ready to dispense another article subsequent todeposition of the suitable amount of coins.

As implied hereinbefore, the articles are loaded into the containermeans 13 by opening the door 33 to refill dispensing apparatus 11.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 6-10 illustrate another embodiment fordispensing a plurality of articles. As illustrated, the dispensingapparatus 81 is also provided a coin receiver 83. The price of thearticles are the same such that a single coin receiver 83 is sufficientto allow respective dispensing of the articles. Specifically, thedispensing apparatus 81 includes a plurality of respective containermeans 13, FIG. 7; a plurality of article drawers 17, and a plurality ofmanually operable handles 19. The respective plurality of containermeans, the article drawers and the manually operable handles and theirinterconnection with the article drawers are, in principle, the same asdescribed hereinbefore with respect to FIGS. 1-5. In FIG. 6, however, asmall door 85 with its suitable lock and key provides access to the coinbox therebehind. The door 85 is mounted for pivotal movement by hinge86. The coin box is similar to coin box 41, FIG. 2. Access to theinterior of the respective container means 13 is provided by way ofanopenable top 31. As illustrated, the top 31 is pivotally mounted athinge points typified by hinge 87; The top 31 may be locked intoposition by means 'of a suitable lock, or hasp and lock, on the rear andnot shown in FIG. 6. As illustrated, however, the respective handlelevers 19 are integrally formed with the respective pick up arms 53, andboth are pivotally mounted by way of suitable shaft55, FIG. 7. Asbefore, the shaft 55 is journalled I in suitable sidewall such assidewall 57, FIG. 7. If desired, a suitable return spring may beemployed on each leverto effect its return to its normal position onceit has been operated and released. As illustrated, however, therespective handles 19 are returned to their normal position by operationof interconnecting linkages and the single biasing means 21 that isconnected with the coin receiving mechanism 69, similarly as describedhereinbefore. As before, the coin receiving mechanism 69 preventsoperation of any one of the article drawers until a suitable amount ofcoins has been inserted into the coin receiver 83.

The interconnecting means between the respective drawer pick up arms 53and the ears 63 of the drawer 17 are not shown in this embodiment, sincethey are the same as described and illustrated with respect to FIGS.2-4.

The dispensing of a plurality of articles, even when each has the sameprice, presents a problem that is not had with dispensing asingle'article. The problem is that each of the levers must be connectedto a coin receiver to prevent operation until the suitable amount ofcoins have been deposited; yet, use of a plurality of coin receivers isinordinately expensive.

To solve the problem, the dispensing apparatus 81 employs a lockingmeans'to prevent dispensing movement of any of the handles 19 until asuitable amount of coins has been deposited. After deposition of thesuitable amount of coins for dispensing a single article, the lockingmeans must allow and require operation of the one of the handles that isfirst begun to be operated and prevent operation of any of the otherhandles. As illustrated, the locking means includes a simple lock bar89, FIGS. 7, 9 and 10, in contrast to the expensively assembled multiplepiece interlocks of the prior art. Each pick up arm 53, andconsequently, each handle 19, is connected with a lock bar entry member91 such that the handle 17 is inoperable unless the lock bar entrymember can enter into slots in the lock bar 89. Specifically, a bolt 93connects the pick up arm 53 with the lock bar entry member 91.

The lock bar 89 comprises a movable lock bar 95 that is disposedadjacent a stationary lock bar 97. The movable lock bar 95 is movablelongitudinally of the stationary lock bar 97. As illustrated, themovable lock bar 95 is disposed interiorly of a U-shaped stationary lockbar 97, FIGS. 9 and 10. The stationary lock bar 97 has a plurality offirst slots 99 disposed opposite the respective lock bar entry members91 such that the lock bar entry members can enter freely thereinto. Themovable lock bar 95 has the same plurality of second slots 101dimensioned such that the adjacent lock bar entry member can readilyenter thereinto when the second slot 101 is aligned with the first slot99 of the stationary lock bar 97. The second slots 101 are spaced in themovable lock bar 95, however, such that only one of the second slots 101is in alignment with a respective first slot 99 at a time.

A moving means 103 is provided for moving the movable lock bar 95 withrespect to the stationary lock bar 97 responsive to movement of thefirst one of the handles 19 to be moved. As illustrated, the movingmeans 103 comprises entry ramps 105 that effect sliding of the movablelock bar 95 longitudinally of the stationary lock bar 97 responsive torearward pressure from a lock bar entry member 91 encountering the ramp105 responsive to downward movement of the respective handle 19. Themoving means 103 is rendered ineffectual as long as a given lock barentry member, such as lock bar entry member 91a, FIGS. 7 and 9, ismaintained within the aligned first and second slots 99 and 101 in thelock bar 89. Expressed otherwise, the rearward pressure of therespective lock bar entry members 91 on the respective entry ramps 105is insufficient to slide the movable lock bar 95 as long as its secondslot 101 engages the lock bar entry member 91a. On the other hand, oncethe lock bar entry member 91a is moved from the aligned first and secondslots 99 and 101, as by returning the first handle 19 to its normalposition, subsequent pressure by another lock bar entry member willslide the movable lock bar the desired amount of movement to effectalignment of the associated respective first and second slots 99 and101. As can be seen from FIG. 9, the spacing between the respectivefirst and second slots 99 and 101 differ such that only one of the pairsof first and second slots are aligned at a time, as indicatedhereinbefore.

As a part of the locking means, and serving to tie the plurality ofdifferent dispensing linkages, handles and lock bar entry memberstogether, there is provided a main shaft 107 that is connected with thecoin receiving mechanism 69 by a rigid linkage 109. Specifically, rigidlinkage 109 comprises a first arm 111 that is rigidly connected with themain shaft 107 and a second arm 113 that is pivotally connected with thefirst arm 111 and pivotally connected with the coin receiving mechanism,as by way of respective connection pins 117 and 119. Consequently, themain shaft cannot be rotated until the suitable amount of coins has beendeposited to allow pivotal rotation of the coin receiving mechanism 69.The main shaft 107 is journalled for suitable pivotal rotation in thestationary frame 15, as in respective end walls thereof, similarly asdescribed with respect to shaft 55, FIG. 2.

To provide support for the free ends of the lock bar entry members 91,as well as serve as a portion of the respective linkages of the lockingmeans, a plurality of respective universal levers 121 are rigidlyconnected with the main shaft 107 for pivotal operation each time themain shaft is pivotally rotated. Each respective universal lever 121engages its lock bar entry member 91 via a clutch means that allowspivotal operation of the main shaftand the universal lever withoutmovement of the lock bar entry member 91, but prevents movement of itsrespective pivotally inounted handle lever 19 until the main shaft isfreed for pivotal rotation by deposition of the necessary amount ofcoins. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the universal levers 121 areconnected with their respective lock bar entry member 91 by way of stubshaft 123. The stub shaft 123 is slidable within a closed slot 125.Thus, as illustrated in F IG. 8, the stub shaft 123 prevents rearwardmovement of the lock bar entry member 91 and, consequently, immobilizesthe handle 19 until the main shaft 107 has been freed for pivotalrotation by deposition of the coins. Expressed otherwise, the linkage109 connected with the coin receiving mechanism 69 prevents rotation ofthe main shaft 107; and, consequently, prevents rotation of universallever 121, so that stub shaft 123 prevents rearward movement of the lockbar entry member 91 and prevents movement of the handle 19 downwardly.Thus, the ear 63 of a drawer 17 cannot be moved rearwardly, so theraised portion 45 cannot-be emplaced behind the bottom article in thestack.

After the coins have been deposited, however, a handle 19, such as theillustrated first handle, FIG. 7, may be moved downwardly, since themain shaft 107 can now be pivotally rotated. Specifically, as the handle19 is moved downwardly, the lock bar entry member 91a is movedrearwardly, forcing alignment of the slots in the lock bar 89, sincethey are not otherwise blocked by a lock bar entry member 91. Similarlyas described hereinbefore, downward movement of one of the leversengages the ratchet means on the coin receiving mechanism 69 andrequires that that lever be moved completely through before it can bereturned to its normal position or before any other'handle 19 can beoperated.

The combination of the closed slot 125 and the stub shaft 123 allows thepivotal movement of the universal levers 121, even if the respectiveother lock bar entry members 91 are blocked from entering the secondslots 101 of the movable lock bar 95.

In operation, the dispensing apparatus 81 is superficially the same aswas dispensing apparatus 11. Specifically, the coins are deposited intothe coin receiver 83 and a respective lever is pulled downwardly to moveits drawer 17 to its rearmost position. Thereafter, the handle 19 ismoved upwardly to vend the article picked up by the drawer 17.

The internal mechanism operates somewhat differently, as implied fromthe descriptive matter hereinbefore. Specifically, the first lever to bepulled causes a rearward motion of its lock bar entry member, its stubshaft 123 and its respective universal lever 121, pivotally rotating themain shaft 107. Pivotal rotation is allowed by the linkage 109 since thecoins have been deposited in the coin receiving mechanism 69. The lockbar entry member 91 enters into the aligned slots 99 and 101 of the lockbar 89, forcing alignment if it were not the last lever to be operatedsuch that the slots were already aligned. It will be recalled that itforces alignment by the rearward pressure on the respective ramps 105 toslide the movable lock bar 95 longitudinally of the stationary lock bar97. As the lock bar entry member 91 has its forward end'of closed slotmoving the stub shaft 123 rearwardly, the stub shaft 123 of theremaining universal levers 121 move rearwardly in their respectiveclosed slots 125, as can be seen by the two lock bar members to theright in FIG. 7, in contrast to the lock bar entry member 91a to theleft forcing its stub shaft 123 rearwardly.

'After the lever and drawer 17 are returned to their vend position tovend the article, the article may be pulled therefrom such that thebottom article again falls onto the raised portion 45 of the drawer 17and the lever 19 and drawer 17 are now in their normal position andreadyfor a subsequent vending operation.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that this invention provides theobjects delineated hereinbefore. Specifically, this dispensing apparatusallows dispensing of single, fiat, relatively thin articles andalleviates the difficulties with the prior art apparatus, whetheror nota coin receiving mechanism'is employed to require payment for vending.In a particular aspect, this invention provides a dispensing apparatusfor dispensing a plurality of different articles. In the latterembodiments, a single coin receiving mechanism may be employed forvending articles that are priced at the same price. The improved vendingapparatus for vending the plurality of flat, relatively thin articles,employs a locking means that satisfies the objects delineatedhereinbefore and alleviates the diff culties of the prior art apparatus.Moreover, this invention'pr'ovides simple, economical and reliableoperation,- yet is economical enough to be employed even in dispensingfree articles, such as dispensing maps by service stations and the like.The elaborate, expensive mechanisms of the prior art are obviated by thesimple, reliable structure employed herein.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has beenmade only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details ofconstruction and the combination and arrangeriient of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of thisinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for dispensing flat, relatively thin articles comprising:

a. a plurality of container means for containing respective stacks ofsaid articles, each said container means having a discharge aperture inits front adjacent the front end of the bottom of said stack ofarticles;

b a stationary frame;

c. a plurality of article drawers, each article drawer being slidablymounted on said frame for rearward movement to pick up the bottom one ofsaid articles and then forward movement to deliver said article; saidarticle drawer having a flat receiving area for receiving said articleand a raised portion adjacent its rear, said article drawer beingdisposed in its normal position with said raised portion beneath thebottom article in said stack and movable behind said article when saidarticle drawer is moved to its rearmost position so as to bring saidarticle forwardly upon subsequent forward motion and effect protrusionof the front end of said article out of said discharge aperture;

d. a plurality of respective manually operable handles connected withsaid article drawer for manually moving respective said article drawersso as to effect dispensing of said article;

e. biasing means biasing said handles and said article drawers towardtheir normal positions; coin receiver for preventing operation of saidarticle drawers until a suitable amount of coins have been inserted; and

g. locking means for allowing and requiring operation of only one ofsaid handles once its operation is started and for preventingsimultaneous operation of any of the other said handles;

said locking means comprising a lock bar, lock bar entry member, andmoving means; each said handle being connected with a respective lockbar entry member such that said handle is inoperable unless said lockbar entry member can enter into said lock bar; said lock bar comprisinga movable lock bar disposed adjacent a stationary lock bar; saidstationary lock bar having respective first slots disposed oppositerespective said lock bar entry members such that said lock bar entrymembers can enter freely thereinto; said movable lock bar having secondslots such that said lock bar entry members can readily enter thereintowhen aligned with said first slots in said stationary lock bar; saidsecond slots being spaced such that only one said second slot is inalignment with a respective said first slot at a time; said movable lockbar being reciprocally movable longitudinally ofv said stationary lockbar; and said moving means being adapted for moving said movable lockbar with respect to said stationary lock bar responsive to movement of afirst said handle and lock bar entry member to be moved; said movingmeans being rendered ineffectual as long as said lock bar entry memberis maintained within aligned said first and second slots.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said handle comprises a pivotallymounted handle lever that is rigidly connected with a drawer pick up am;said pick up arm is connected with a respective article drawer via aradial to lineal motion converter means for converting the radial motionof said pick up arm to lineal movement of said drawer; said pick up armalso being connected with its respective said lock bar entry member;wherein there is provided a main shaft that is connected with said coinreceiver via a linkage having rigid links such that pivotal rotation ofsaid main shaft is prevented until said amount of coins is deposited;said main shaft being journalled on said frame for pivotal rotation; aplurality of respective universal levers are rigidly connected with saidmain shaft for operation each time said main shaft is pivoted; each saiduniversal lever engaging its said lock bar entry member via a clutchmeans thatallows pivotal operation of said main shaft and said universallever without movement of said lock bar entry member and preventseffective dispensing movement of its respective said pivotally mountedhandle lever until said main shaft is freed for pivotal rotation bydeposition of said amount of coins.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said radial to lineal motionconverter means comprises a laterally extending stub shaft pivotally andslidably engaging a vertical slot in an upwardly extending ear that isconnected with said article drawer so as to effect reciprocal movementof said article drawer responsive to arcuate urging in the respectivegeneral directions by said stub, shaft.

1. Apparatus for dispensing flat, relatively thin articles comprising:a. a plurality of container means for containing respective stacks ofsaid articles, each said container means having a discharge aperture inits front adjacent the front end of the bottom of said stack ofarticles; b. a stationary frame; c. a plurality of article drawers, eacharticle drawer being slidably mounted on said frame for rearwardmovement to pick up the bottom one of said articles and then forwardmovement to deliver said article; said article drawer having a flatreceiving area for receiving said article and a raised portion adjacentits rear, said article drawer being disposed in its normal position withsaid raised portion beneath the bottom article in said stack and movablebehind said article when said article drawer is moved to its rearmostposition so as to bring said article forwardly upon subsequent forwardmotion and effect protrusion of the front end of said article out ofsaid discharge aperture; d. a plurality of respective manually operablehandles connected with said article drawer for manually movingrespective said article drawers so as to effect dispensing of saidarticle; e. biasing means biasing said handles and said article drawerstoward their normal positions; f. coin receiver for preventing operationof said article drawers until a suitable amount of coins have beeninserted; and g. locking means for allowing and requiring operation ofonly one of said handles once its operation is started and forpreventing simultaneous operation of any of the other said handles; saidlocking means comprising a lock bar, lock bar entry member, and movingmeans; each said handle being connected with a respective lock bar entrymember such that said handle is inoperable unless said lock bar entrymember can enter into said lock bar; said lock bar comprising a movablelock bar disposed adjacent a stationary lock bar; said stationary lockbar having respective first slots disposed opposite respective said lockbar entry members such that said lock bar entry members can enter freelythereinto; said movable lock bar having second slots such that said lockbar entry members can readily enter thereinto when aligned with saidfirst slots in said stationary lock bar; said second slots being spacedsuch that only one said second slot is in alignment with a respectivesaid first slot at a time; said movable lock bar being reciprocallymovable longitudinally of said stationary lock bar; and said movingmeans being adapted for moving said movable lock bar with respect tosaid stationary lock bar responsive to movement of a first said handleand lock bar entry member to be moved; said movIng means being renderedineffectual as long as said lock bar entry member is maintained withinaligned said first and second slots.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid handle comprises a pivotally mounted handle lever that is rigidlyconnected with a drawer pick up arm; said pick up arm is connected witha respective article drawer via a radial to lineal motion convertermeans for converting the radial motion of said pick up arm to linealmovement of said drawer; said pick up arm also being connected with itsrespective said lock bar entry member; wherein there is provided a mainshaft that is connected with said coin receiver via a linkage havingrigid links such that pivotal rotation of said main shaft is preventeduntil said amount of coins is deposited; said main shaft beingjournalled on said frame for pivotal rotation; a plurality of respectiveuniversal levers are rigidly connected with said main shaft foroperation each time said main shaft is pivoted; each said universallever engaging its said lock bar entry member via a clutch means thatallows pivotal operation of said main shaft and said universal leverwithout movement of said lock bar entry member and prevents effectivedispensing movement of its respective said pivotally mounted handlelever until said main shaft is freed for pivotal rotation by depositionof said amount of coins.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said radialto lineal motion converter means comprises a laterally extending stubshaft pivotally and slidably engaging a vertical slot in an upwardlyextending ear that is connected with said article drawer so as to effectreciprocal movement of said article drawer responsive to arcuate urgingin the respective general directions by said stub shaft.